An irrigator is a special device for cleaning teeth from plaque using a jet of liquid supplied under high pressure. At the same time, food remains are removed, and the gums receive a massage, which has a beneficial effect on their condition. Regular use of the irrigator at home allows you to reduce the number of visits to the dentist, increase the life of implants, crowns, fillings, and maintain a high level of oral hygiene.
The best irrigators for the oral cavity | ||
1 | WaterPik WP-100EU | The most popular pulse irrigator |
2 | WaterPik WP-660 Aquarius Professional | The largest number of interchangeable nozzles |
3 | Kitfort KT-2904 | Favorite for functionality |
4 | Nicefeel KGW1116 | Best price |
5 | Panasonic EW1211A | The best ratio of price and quality |
1. Purpose of the device
Why do you need an irrigator?The use of an irrigator has practically no contraindications. This device can be recommended for permanent use for preventive and therapeutic purposes for those who strive to maintain a high level of oral hygiene.Regular use of the irrigator is an excellent prevention of caries, gingivitis, periodontal disease and many other dental problems.
Categories of people who are recommended by dentists to use an irrigator:
Pregnant women. During this period, the risk of developing caries and various periodontal diseases is high. Regular use of the device helps to significantly reduce these risks and improve the condition of the oral cavity.
Patients with pathologies of bite, dentitiona. It is often difficult for such people to maintain oral hygiene due to objective reasons. The use of an irrigator helps to solve the problem of high-quality cleaning of hard-to-reach places.
Patients with gingivitis and periodontitis in the initial stage. To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, it is better to replace water with special solutions.
The dentist will recommend using a powerful irrigator for the care of crowns, dental bridges, bracket systems. It does not hurt to strengthen care with the help of a modern device for smokers, people with a problem of bad breath.
It is impossible to use the irrigator for a while, while there is bleeding of the gums, chronic inflammatory processes of the oral mucosa have become aggravated. Among the contraindications to the use of the device are also severe pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Preschoolers have not yet developed manual skills, so it is better for them not to use such a complex device without adult supervision.
2. Device types
Choosing a portable or stationary irrigatorIrrigators are divided into two main groups depending on mobility - stationary and portable, each of which has certain advantages and disadvantages.Therefore, before buying an irrigator, you need to decide which type best suits your needs: how often you plan to use it, what functions it should have, whether it will be an individual device or an irrigator for the whole family with interchangeable nozzles.
Most irrigators consist of a reservoir of liquid connected by a tube to a handle through which the spray occurs. Modern models are equipped with a special regulator that allows you to vary the strength and intensity of spraying the liquid.
Type of | Advantages | Flaws |
Stationary | + affordable price; + food from the mains; + enlarged fluid reservoir; + a large set of nozzles; + the ability to adjust the power of the cleaning jet. | - big sizes; - It is impossible to take with you on trips. |
Portable | + compact dimensions; + mobility. | - high price; - a small reservoir for liquid; - it is impossible to create a high jet pressure due to the low power of the batteries. |
There is another type of irrigators - tankless. They do not have a reservoir and are connected directly to the faucet. In this case, the efficiency of the device directly depends on the pressure force in the water pipes. In addition, it is technically impossible to fill such devices with any other liquid than tap water, the quality of which is often in doubt. These features do not contribute to the popularity of this type of irrigators.
Panasonic EW1211A
The best ratio of price and quality
3. Irrigator power
What power is optimal?In order to choose the best irrigator, always pay attention to the power of the device, because it is this indicator that directly affects the quality of brushing your teeth and massaging your gums. The minimum allowable power of a stationary irrigator is 550 kPa. For portable models, the power is usually lower, but it should not be less than 520 kPa. The optimal number of jet pulsations per minute is 1200, regardless of the type of device.
By smoothly adjusting the power of the device, it is easier to set a comfortable jet pressure level. Stationary devices allow you to adjust this indicator in the range from 1 to 10, portable devices - only up to 3-4.
4. Fluid technology
Monojet, pulsation or microbubbles?Depending on the model of the device, the liquid jet can be a regular mono-jet, pulsate or contain micro air bubbles.
The monojet cleans the oral cavity only due to the high pressure generated. This is an outdated technology, inferior in efficiency to the other two. The periodic pulsation of water has a massage effect on the gums, thereby improving blood circulation and supplying them with oxygen. Pulsation creates micro-hydraulic shocks of water, thereby more effectively removing plaque and food debris.
A jet of water mixed with the smallest air bubbles, due to the high oxygen content, has a bactericidal effect on pathogenic microflora. This is very important for maintaining the proper level of oral hygiene for people with dentures, crowns, braces and with a tendency for gums to bleed.
WaterPik WP-100EU
The most popular pulse irrigator
5. Tank volume and number of nozzles
How versatile and functional device do you need?The volume of the tank determines how much liquid you can use without interruption. The traditional mark is 600 ml. Today, the most popular are large devices with a 1000 ml reservoir. Portable models do not differ in capacity - the volume of the reservoir of such an irrigator is 15-200 ml.
As for nozzles, devices with 2-5 nozzles in a set are most common today. Mandatory - standard nozzle. This is a slightly curved tube with a hole at the end. The nozzle for cleaning braces and crowns creates a thin stream and has an elongated nozzle, a narrowed tip. Periodontal tip is necessary for patients with problem gums. This category of people will not hurt to periodically use a round-shaped massage nozzle.
More expensive models also include nozzles for cleaning the tongue, washing periodontal pockets, and irrigating the sinuses.
WaterPik WP-660 Aquarius Professional
The largest number of interchangeable nozzles
The best irrigators for the oral cavity
Top 5. Panasonic EW1211A
One of the most powerful portable models on the market. The irrigator is equipped with a capacious battery, its charge is enough for a week of use when cleaning the oral cavity three times a day.There are many reviews on the Panasonic EW1211A on the Web, and most of them are positive. Users find the device compact, reliable and functional. The advantages of the device include high-quality cleaning of the oral cavity due to the 360-degree rotating body, contactless charging and rubberized coating. The disadvantage of the device is the small volume of the liquid reservoir, which will have to be refilled at least 2 times in one cleaning session.
Top 4. Nicefeel KGW1116
The most powerful stationary device. The liquid reservoir holds up to 1000 ml of water. This is enough for 1-2 procedures, depending on the selected mode. It is convenient to store nozzles, because the storage system is located on the side. The manufacturer has provided 10 modes of operation of the device with smooth adjustment of the water jet. An additional advantage of the device is its compact size. The package also deserves special attention - there are 7 different nozzles. The settings are simple and straightforward, making it a great helper for the whole family. In fairness, there are only a couple of disadvantages of this choice - the noisy operation of the device and a short cord.
Top 3. Kitfort KT-2904
An effective dental center from the domestic manufacturer Kitfort KT-2904 is distinguished by the presence of a cleaning timer, a large set of accessories and a loyal cost. High-quality oral care is provided by 7 nozzles. All of them compactly fit in a special box-cover. Built-in 600 ml e-liquid reservoir. This is enough for a full cleaning session.A thin but strong jet will not only qualitatively clean the oral cavity of food debris, but also massage the gums. Customers praise the device for functionality and power, as well as convenient contactless brush charging. Of the minuses, only a short network cable is noted.
Top 2. WaterPik WP-660 Aquarius Professional
A modern device that will clean the oral cavity at a professional level. This model is highly efficient and easy to use. The functional device is equipped with a combined cleaning technology: jet and spray. Their joint work provides a thorough cleaning of the teeth from plaque and food debris, and also massages the gums. Smooth adjustment of the pressure of the water jet occurs with the help of 10 modes of operation. The irrigator is charged from the network, and the volume of the tank is a considerable 650 ml. The main advantages of the model are quiet operation, convenient design, excellent equipment. The only negative is the weak response of the touch buttons.
Top 1. WaterPik WP-100EU
This is the best stationary irrigator model, which is very popular. Users like the low price of the device and its rich equipment. It is called high quality, multifunctional and reliable. WaterPik WP-100EU works for a long time without failures. The power of the supplied jet is regulated in 10 modes. Significant advantages of the model are - convenient storage of nozzles, ergonomics and attractive design of the device. In the reviews, there are only a couple of relative disadvantages of the device - a short wire and not the quietest operation of the electric motor.